Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

By The Associated Press and N-B Staff Some Indiana residents want the state to legalize video gambling in American Legion halls and other clubs - a move supporters say would allow the state to regulate the machines and collect a piece of the pot.The Indiana Licensed Beverage Association has planned public meetings around the state to convince lawmakers that they should legalize the devices when the General Assembly convenes in January.The first of those meetings was held Wednesday night in Bluffton at the Grover Sheets American Legion Post, with approximately 20 people in attendance, including local tavern owners and area fraternal organizations.The Bluffton post had video gambling machines on its premises until about a year ago when state excise officers seized computer boards, making the machines inoperable. The machines have since been removed from the post.Legion manager Cindy Stephenson told the News-Banner that loss of the machines has made it increasingly difficult for the post."It's been really tough trying to make ends meet," Stephenson said of the loss of revenue. "We need to really look at it," said David Heath, chairman of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.Sen. Robert Meeks, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said people still play the machines at clubs and businesses even though they are illegal. The Republican from LaGrange and former state trooper said he has been in favor of legalizing the machines for years.State Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne, compared the situation to Prohibition, when banning alcohol made the industry go underground.Meeks and Moses said legalizing the machines would allow the state to ensure fair payouts while collecting a share of the money.But lawmakers have been cool to the idea in the past. Few bills have been filed to legalize the machines over the years and none has passed out of committee.Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Howe, chairs the House Public Policy and Veterans Affairs Committee, and could play a key role in gambling issues if Republicans retain control of the House after the Nov. 7 elections.He said he would be unlikely to hear any bill legalizing video gaming and is opposed to expanding gambling.House Minority Leader Pat Bauer, a South Bend Democrat, said he also had concerns."People are losing their life savings (by gambling). We have made it available everywhere. That's a problem," he said.One of the public meetings was scheduled for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6246 in Noblesville, which hasn't had video gambling since police seized a machine years ago.Frank Perkins, the post quartermaster, said if the machines were legal, the state would get tax revenue, the post's members would have a chance at the winnings and the post would get money for both rent and to support charities."It would be a good deal for everyone," Perkins said.Public meetings are planned in Bluffton, Fort Wayne, South Bend, East Chicago, Noblesville, Beech Grove, West Lafayette, Evansville, Tell City, Terre Haute and Bedford.